San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1887-12-22
THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS.

The goth Of December Was Originally
the Roman Saturnalia
The celebration of Christmas Ms the
birthday of Jesus is universal among
Christians of every sect, and as such II
is regarded throughout Christendom az
the sweetest, holiest Of all holidays. And
with the long mooted question, Is Dec. "a
the anniversary OF Christ's BIRTH we have
nothing to do. For It matters nothing
whether It was on this particular
date that tho Christ Child first
lay N Bethlehem's lowly Manager.
This n the day that has been ac-
copied and win be celebrated to the end
OF time. It will be of interest TO most
readers, however, to note that IL was not
until the Third or Fourth century that
the present date was agreed upon, and
that Jan. !, Jan. O, March 20 and Sept.
20 were variously observed during the
earlier centuries by various bodies of
Christians. The fixing OF the date seems
to have been accomplished by Julius l.,
who presided rs pope or bishop OF Rome
from 1877 to 1853 A. ID.
Christmas is not alone among Chris
tian holidays In being the follower Of q
somewhat similar holiday among the pa
gans. In Rome 1t was called the Satur-
nalia. And the observance Of the winter
feast, now Christmas, was not confined to
the Romans. The holiday appears to
have been kept by the Scandinavians, the
Perslans and the PhWnicians, and per-
haps by many other people. All these ma
tions worshiped the sun, under one form or
other, MS the giver of all life. Each gave
the deity different name. At Rome he
was worshiped under one Of the characters
III. k.l - Co.., fnth ut t1A
gods; among the Scandinavians as Odin, or
Wooden, the father Of Thor; with the Per-
SLAMS as Mithras, probably the same rs the
Irish Mithr, and with the Ph9nicians his
name was Baal or Bel.
All these nations chose about the same
date for this feast. This is supposed to
have been caused by the feelings of de-
light experienced shortly after Dec. 81, be-
cause the days then begin 10 lengthen.
Then the sun begins his upward course,
and spring and summer are approaching.
For somewhat similar reasons the pagans
of old held great midsummer feast ut or
about June 81. ta
The midwinter festival Of the Satur-
MALTA was observed for several days In
the most unrestrained manner; every
body Toasted and work was quite sus-
pended. Even the slaves were allowed
complete liberty for the time being.
Laurels and evergreens were everywhere
displayed, the same as now, and gifts were
texUhanged, and there were especial greet
ings for the season. In the north these
rejoicings were carried on In some-
what ruder fashion, but were en-
te&cd into with not less hearty
enthusiasm. Fires were everywhere kin
died, both indoors and out, in honor of
.Odin and Thor; the Druids gathered the
sacred mistletoe, and both men and cattle
were sacrificed to the savage divinities.
The ancient Persians also burned immense
bonfires at this season, and between them
and Che Druids Of western Europe some
sort Of relationship existed.
In the later days Of the Roman empire
the feast of the Saturnalia deteriorated
into a gross debauch-so gross, indeed,
that few historians have cared to defle
their pages with its details.
1t was for the purpose Of counteracting
the evil influences Of the Saturnalia, to
the celebration Of which the young of both
sexes were very prone, that the early
Christian teachers In Rome sought to
adapt the rites Of heather rejoicing and
render them subservient, instead Of an
tagonistic, to the cause Of religion. Ger
tain forms Of amusement were Forbidden
md others not so gross were substituted,
but IL was II long time before the people
and the clergy were of one mind regard
ing the observances of Christmas.
In Britain there were other modiflca-
tions. To the modified Saturnalia were
added first some of the Druidical rites and
superstitions, and, after the arrival Of the
Saxons, some Of the ceremonies Of the
~. H..
these were the burning of the Yule log
and the supcrstitions regarding the mis-
itletoe Dough.
In England the burning OF the Yule log
takes place Christmas eve. In feudal |
times the bringing in Of the ponderous
block and burning ii OH the wide hearth
of the great chimney of the baronial hall
was observed with the greatest rejoicings.
Ihe dragging Of the Yule from the forest
to the castle was an elaborate ceremony
of itself, and rs it passed, every wayfarer
raised his hat, for well he knew that Its
flame would light up scenes If feasting
and forgiveness Of old wrongs, and that
Hll would be welcome.
The following quaint ditty, apropos Of
the Yule, is supposed to have been written
during the reign of Henry VI:
Welcome be thou, heavenly King;
A. Welcome, born on this morning;
! Welcome, for whom we shall sing;
Welcome iule.
Welcome be re, Stephen and John;
Welcome, Innocents every one;
; Welcome, Thomas, martyr one;
Welcome lule.
Welcome he ye, good New Year:
Welcome Twelfth day, both in fere;s
Welcome, saints loved and dear;
Welcome Yule. ~.
Welcome he We, Condemns;
Welcome hc We, queen OF bliss:
Welcome 10th To more aud less;
Welcome lue.
w,icou,fasr We that are here;
Mtlcutalc al. and mike good cheer:
Welcome all. another year;
Welcome Nule.
'In company.
Among the English the mistletoe bough
Il always hung over the center Of the
room ON Christmas Eve, and any damsel
who, either by chance or ON purpose,
places herself beneath Il has 20 pay the
penalty of being kissed by all the men
who are present
OF course none Of the fair sex evG
placcs herself under the mistlctoe with
malice aforetbOuGhk -
The Little Seed.
A littls seed lay in the esrt-rs path;
A little shoot bowed in the strong wiDd's
Wnath